The court has denied the motion to release Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, from detention.

Also, the court extended Ajapahian’s detention for another ten days.

Lawyer Yerem Sargsyan expressed his dissatisfaction with this court decision and said as follow to the presiding judge: “It was a clearly illegal decision, you are not authorized to administer justice in this case.”

Having a large following—and, consequently, a considerable ability to direct the conduct of members of society with his words—Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian is charged with making public calls for the seizure of power in Armenia.